The 2014 Bear Cubs softball team is ready to make school history this season as it competes for the Big 8 title in the toughest conference in California.
Led by returning head coach Phil Wright, the resurging Bear Cubs team has set lofty goals for the upcoming season.
Finishing fifth in the Big 8 Conference last year, SRJC is ready to build off that success with a strong core of returning players and a mix of rookies ready to make some noise.
“The group of girls that were already here have taken to leadership roles and are helping the new players blend in right away,” said first-year captain and returning sophomore pitcher Megan Winters.
Returning players have set a precedent for freshmen to follow, and the eight first-year players are keeping up their end.
“The freshmen saw how close we came last year and they have embraced the challenge of taking the next step and making the playoffs,” Spaulding said.
The team chemistry will need to be strong as the team looks for its first playoff berth since capturing the Bay Valley Conference title in 2004, and first state title since 1982.
After coming so close in the 2013 season, the players are hungry for another chance.
“There’s not a week that goes by that we do not talk about how close we came a year ago. We are not going to miss an opportunity; we are going to make one,” said returning outfielder Taylor Spaulding.
First-year Captain and returning sophomore Chauntel Cesna echoed Spaulding’s drive.
“Just missing the playoffs last year showed us we could compete and that we are ready for the competition. We put the hard work in every day in practice. It is our time; this year instead of fifth place we are going to finish first,” Cesna said.
Coming together and working hard every day, this team is determined to bring success to the Bear Cub softball program.
The previous year’s team put the Bear Cubs on the map in the Big 8 Conference. Embracing the challenges ahead, the Bear Cubs accept the fact they now have a target on their backs.
“Other teams should be scared, because we are hungry and coming after them,” Winters said.
The team will begin preseason games at SRJC Jan. 31 with a double-header against Mendocino College at 10 a.m., followed by a 2 p.m. match against College of the Redwoods. Conference play will start on the road against Sierra College in a double-header March 8.